Question
unknown browning a5
Hi Jim,
I have a Belgium Browning 12g shotgun, I believe to be an A-5 model with a serial number on the bottom of the receiver of 25142. I am looking for information about this shotgun as to year model, value etc. It is in excellent condition, and I am attaching a few photo's. Thanks very much for your help
AnswerBarry,
Please check the serial number again to see if by chance there is the letter code "M", "L", "G" or "H" above the number you have provided. Depending on the letter code, your shotgun was made either in 1954 or 1956. You do have a Browning Auto 5. From the picture it is hard to see if the trigger is gold or black. The gold trigger means it is the light weight model and will have "Light Twelve" on the left side of the receiver. If the trigger is black then you have the standard model and will have "Twelve" on the left side. It looks to be in extremely nice condition.
Value depends on a number of things. Light weight vs. Standard, Choke configuration, butt plate or recoil pad, vent rib or plain barrel and most importantly, condition. For a good read about the A-5, I suggest finding the Browning Auto 5 book by H.M. Shirley and Anthony Vanderlinden. Hope this helps.
Jim
